Wednesday, 23 October 2013

I'm chuffed to bits to declare that I have actually read a book, in less than 2 weeks!

I don't get much time to read these days! But Teje very kindly sent me this book as part of a type of blog hop (read the back story here) and I'm so glad she did.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, which explains why I read it quickly (for me that is!). My favourite genre are books with an historical element, and this story fulfilled that remit perfectly! And I can now more fully appreciate the symbolism of the mini quilt she sent me, which relates to the story.

I now need to get my thinking cap on, not only in deciding who to pass the book onto, but what 'story inspired' project to make for them.

Geese may be involved - just saying!

Do you like to read 'quilty' books?

Jxo

P.s. For all you UK fabric addicts out there, check out this great offer from Lisnaweary Quilts - free P&P until 28/10!

Sunday, 20 October 2013

You see on 9th November, not only will my students from the past 2 years be exhibiting their makes (squeeeee!), we will also be having a craft fair fund raiser for Bee Blessed and Oasis Women's Quilting Group.

This is some of what I'll be contributing to the craft table.

Journal covers and 'boy' pencil cases

Hairbands

I wish I had more time to make lots more (story of my life) but I'll also be submitting some 'no longer needed' class samples.

And today, I hummed along to the Proclaimers in the cinema, feeling really old as my kids looked at me and said 'Who?'

Thursday, 17 October 2013

Yesterday I showed you the quilt top of Kim Brackett's Overs and Unders pattern I'm making for mum's 70th birthday.

I had a productive day yesterday and got this lap size quilt quilted and bound.

Finished size 60" x 60"

I decided to free motion the quilt, playing it safe with a large organic stipple! I was going to add some applique flowers to the star centres, but now that I see the quilting through them, I think it would be too fussy.

I machine sewed the binding down for speed, as I've still loads to do before our exhibition on 9/11.

All I need is a label for this quilt and it's another tick off my humongous list! Fingers crossed mum will like it when she gets it in a couple of weeks time.

Sunday, 13 October 2013

Firstly, our precious mate Terri is stepping down for a bit (but as Judith D found out, you never really leave Brit Bee!).

T Bone - we salute you!

The lovely Di is stepping into the breach, which wasn't a big step for her at all as she was practically a Brit Bee-er already anyways!

Welcome Di! (far right)

This year in Brit Bee we are doing something completely different, and so exciting it will make your toes curl!!

We are going to shamelessly jump on the Medallion band-wagon!

The 'Clever Ones' in the group have crunched the numbers and logistics of making a medallion design work through the whole group. This means we start off making our centre block, send it out into the Brit Bee ether, and over a year later we will get back our finished medallion quilt top! How cool is that!

I love that we will all make a contribution to each others' quilts, be working more from stash, and won't know quite what our finished quilt will look like until it hits the door mat at the end!!

I would love to display my first medallion quilt in my newly decorated front room. I've taken these fabrics and colours as my inspiration and point of reference, (though the actual fabrics don't have to be used).

From Design Seeds

And using the 'New Jersey' foundation pieced star from this book ....

....I made my centre star and block, ready to pass onto the next person in line!

Unfortunately the colours in this picture aren't very true, but I'm hoping for duck egg greens and teals, creams and taupes, with accents of raspberry red and vintage green.

I really enjoyed foundation piecing this centre star, despite finishing late last night and discovering a wee hole!!! Aagghhh.

But I managed to patch it up, thanked Carol Doak in my head for providing such an ace pattern, and got it swiftly parcelled it up before I found anymore mistakes!!

Saturday, 5 October 2013

A few weeks ago, this amazing, beautiful bird migrated its way to me, all the way from Greece!

I have had the privilege and pleasure of getting to know fellow blogger Teje for some months now! She is an incredibly talented and considered quilter, and a keen animal lover too! (you should check out her amazing paper piecing! Wow!)

Inspired by this book.......

..... Teje has made this stunning mini quilt, and sent both to me!

How lucky am I! Just look at the details! And the quilting is stunning!

I get to keep the quilt, read the book, and then make something inspired by the book to pass on to another blogger! What a great idea!

And it's just as well there's no time schedule to this blog hop, as I haven't started reading the book yet!! I don't have a lot of free time at the moment, but I used to 'eat' books! So I'm hoping I can soon start to read this book, in a big, squishy armchair, in front of a roaring open fire, with a large wee glass of Baileys on ice! Aaahhhh! Heaven!

Thank you once again T, for sharing and blessing me with your talent and creativity.

Tuesday, 1 October 2013

My mosaic of makes for September shows lots of small things, but it took no small effort in getting them made!

Time has eluded me at every turn this past month, with many unexpected hospital & doctors' visits, and the busyness of now being a single parent.

Actually, I'm still in shock that it is October already, especially with the mild temperatures we've been having lately!

For this incoming month I have a 'mountain of makes' to climb! An 18th birthday quilt to finish, 70th birthday quilt to start (& finish!) and a term's worth of class samples to make for the release of my 2014 programme at our exhibition in November!

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I'm delighted you've visited my blog today, but can I please ask you not to reproduce any of my creations or photos without my permission. In most instances I'll be happy to oblige, but I'd be grateful if you would ask first. Thank you, Jxo